Exhibitions- Gerard Way

Epilogue

It's been six months, way longer than either of them had ever anticipated. Gerard has been so busy and has been doing very well over in California. Meanwhile Maxine has properly picked up art again, using the separation a lot as inspiration for her works. She's done so well for herself that she's even started earning money from her paintings, all of which will be going towards the wedding of course. They call almost every day, filling each other in about everything that's been going on. Today is one of the few days where they haven't called yet. Today is also a big day as Jacob is helping Maxine put on her own exhibition at Gerard's studio. She loves his studio, sometimes the apartment hurts too much, even just laying in their big bed alone makes her miss him even more, but his studio makes her feel safe. It's like a sanctuary of peacefulness, whilst still reminding her of him. But instead of making her sad, seeing his paintings and drawings fills her with happiness and proudness, reminding her of how far he's come. Deep down she always wants the best for him, and the best is now what he's got.

"Are you ready?" Daisy asks her, very excitedly as they begin to open the doors for the exhibition.  

"I think so!" She replies, slightly nervous. 

"You know, wait until Gerard hears about this, he'll be so proud of you!" Daisy reminds her, she smiles in response.

"I'm proud of him too, most of this work is about him." She laughs. She's planning on taking lots of pictures and sending them to him, like a surprise, instead of actually telling him. She's been working on this exhibition for about three months now, so for it to finally be going live is relieving whilst also being overwhelming. She wishes he was here to see it, the same way how she surprised him on her first night in New York. But she knows that they'll be back together soon enough. Gerard has been actively looking for places and he's got one in mind, which he hasn't told her about yet. 

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People are flooding in now, it's been open for about an hour and Maxine is shocked at how many people have come down to see it. She's enjoying talking to the visitors about the meanings behind each piece, she never realises how much she truly loves art until someone else gets her talking about it. The exhibition's on only for today as it's her first one, sort of like a test. If it goes well, which at the moment it looks like it is, then next time she'll be able to put it on for longer. 

"You're doing great girl!" Daisy reminds her, she's been hyping her up all night which is definitely helping with Maxine's confidence.

"Thank you! I'm actually really enjoying this!" She turns to Jacob. "Thanks again for this Jacob, I couldn't have done this all by myself."

"You're very welcome!" He smiles. Maxine has always liked Jacob, ever since Daisy first introduced them. Although he can sometimes come off as quite snobby, he's always got everyone's best interests at heart, and Maxine really admires that in a friend. 

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The exhibition is now in its last final thirty minute stretch, Maxine is tired but as usual Daisy has been keeping her on her toes. There's a lot less people here now as it's getting later into the night, but after such a busy day of preparation and showcasing, she's enjoying the peace and quiet. A few footsteps can be heard as stray people wander around, some people popping in for a couple of minutes whilst others stand and examine each work for ages. 

"I don't know how Gerard done this all the time, I'm exhausted!" She tells Daisy, dramatically yawning. 

"I can grab you a coffee?" Daisy exclaims, but before Maxine can stop her, she runs off with Jacob up the stairs, presumably to grab said coffee.

Maxine stands in the centre of the building, looking up at her favourite painting. It uses a worms eye view of a lake with a couple standing in the background, the man on one knee. The day that Gerard proposed to her is her favourite day ever, everything was so perfect and it was the first painting she completed when he left. It also reminds her that they're engaged which always sends joy flowing through her body. 

She is snapped out of her memories by arms wrapping around her, she freezes up at the feeling.

"That is the prettiest painting I've ever seen!" 

She recognises that strong New Jersey accent straight away, almost giving herself whiplash from how fast she turns around to him. She doesn't even say anything, she just sinks herself into the embrace, he lifts her up and she wraps her legs around his torso, the same way she used to. His scent fills her nostrils and she runs her hand through his now red hair, which she has only just noticed. 

"What are you doing here?!" She asks him with the biggest smile on her face. He ignores the question and instead crashes his lips against hers, the two of them sharing a long passionate kiss. He pulls away and breaks the news to her.

"Come to California with me. Let's get married!" He can't hold back his excitement, and neither can she. She nods so quickly, she's never heard better words be spoken in her life.  

"I've missed you so much Gee!"

"I've missed you too, so fucking much."